Events planned for MLK Day

Local groups have planned two days of activities to celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.
The Lincoln County Coalition of Black Churches and the Lincoln County branch of the NAACP along with many residents have celebrated Kingâ€™s birthday for many years.
King was not just a hero to black Americans, he was a champion of the oppressed regardless of race. He died while fighting for the rights of multi-racial sanitation workers in Memphis. On Nov. 2, 1983, after passing votes by the U.S. Senate and Congress, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was signed into law.
The country declared Martin Luther King Jr. Day a national holiday to be celebrated on the third Monday of January each year. The first official celebration was on Jan. 20, 1986.
The Lincolnton City Council and mayor, the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners and the Lincoln County Board of Education now recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day as an official holiday.
The Coalition of Black Churches and the local NAACP branch have taken the leadership role in organizing this yearly celebration in Lincoln County. It has become a full day of celebration.
One of the featured attractions for this celebration is the afternoon parade from the courtsquare down Main Street to Providence Missionary Baptist Church on Pine Street.
This year the parade will be on Sunday, Jan. 16 at 3 p.m. in hope that there will be even greater participation and so that more people can see the parade. Parade participants should line up at the courtsquare at 2:30 p.m.
On Monday, Jan. 17 a number of events will be held in the Lincoln Cultural Center. A worship breakfast will kick off the day at 8:30 a.m. a.m., followed by a youth program at 11 a.m. The evening program will begin at 6 p.m.
Everyone is invited to participate in all events. If you would like to participate in the parade or the youth program, contact Jocelyn Barber, the coalitionâ€™s secretary, at 704-735-0168.
by Staff Reports